Student Senate commemorated its relationship with Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marianne Calenda before her retirement by creating a scholarship in her honor. Senior senate president Sean Fiedler presented Calenda with the award at the annual Awards Ceremony Wednesday, April 11 in Gibble Auditorium.

In future years, the annual Marianne Calenda Health and Wellness Scholarship will go to the student who best embodies commitments to academics and overall well-being.

“Dean Calenda was an amazing advisor and fantastic advocate for the student body,” Fiedler said. “This seemed like the least we could do for her.”

Each week, Calenda updates Student Senate on senior staff happenings during the Administrative Reports section of their meeting. Senators, especially Fiedler, have developed a close partnership with her in her 12 years at Elizabethtown College.

Fiedler worked with Calenda on several projects and considers her a leadership mentor, as she helped him develop his leadership skills once he became a member of Student Senate’s Executive Cabinet.

Calenda did not know about the scholarship before the ceremony and said she was “totally surprised” when Fiedler presented her with it. She called the ceremony “a lovely experience.” The commemorative glass plaque sits in her office in the Baugher Student Center.

“It was emotional, to say the least,” Fiedler said of presenting Calenda with the scholarship dedication. “Dean Calenda was more than the advisor to Senate. She was a mentor, a teacher and a friend.”

Calenda was hired as Dean of Students in July 2006. She added Vice President for Student Life to her title two years ago when the College shifted away from a provost model of leadership.

In her time at Etown, Calenda oversaw all co-curricular aspects of life at the College, from Career Services and Residence Life to athletics and leadership development.

She was also on-call for all students. She said while she likes problem-solving and being able to help everyone, there comes a time to step back.

With so many departments to oversee, it may seem impossible for one person to handle it all. Calenda credits the entire student life staff and those who work in the departments she oversees with helping her and the College.

“I’m very proud of the student life division as a whole. There are many, many dedicated people who mentor, coach, advise and teach, and it’s just a tremendous group of people to work with,” she said. “It’s not one person, it’s a team. I would accept the award on their behalf because it represents the College’s effort to enhance student well-being.”

Calenda’s commitment to health and well-being shows in the College’s shift toward more programs and resources related to alcohol, drug and sexual abuse prevention.

She called the progress on the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-being the culmination of these and other health-related efforts; she plans to visit the building once it opens.

“Students need to understand who they are and their values and beliefs and what’s important to them in their lives,” Calenda said. “Having a space for all in the campus community that commits to that is exciting.”

“Dean Calenda left a lasting legacy at Etown, and we truly felt she deserved to be honored by Senate in this regard,” Fiedler said. “She had a vision of encouraging healthy lifestyles and student wellness on campus.”

After Calenda retires, a new Vice President for Student Life will take over the position, with the goal being to have the new candidate start working officially July 1. Before the candidate starts, the search committee will recommend a candidate to President Carl Strikwerda, who will make the final decision.

According to Fiedler, he and the rest of Student Senate are indirectly involved in the candidate review process. He said Student Senate wants to be involved in the process because of the Vice President for Student Life’s relationships with both Student Senate and the student body.

In 2016, Calenda spoke at a Called to Lead dinner about what matters to her and why. There, she described her love of painting and the creative process. She hopes to get back to such hobbies.

“I spend a lot of time in my office or in meetings, and I enjoy being outside, so I hope whatever activities I pursue will let me enjoy nature,” she said.

Calenda’s parting advice for Etown students fits her emphasis on all-around student well-being.

“Take care of each other and be well,” she said. “I do believe our students deserve the best.”